Physical science in polar and alpine regions is complex and transdisiplinary. Our speakers present scientific findings and methods on a plethora of topics, including, but not limited to glaciology, atmospheric sciences, oceanography, hydrology, geology, biology, ecology, physics, climatology, and geochemistry.
Seminars on polar physical sciences are held at the Scott Polar Research Institute during the Michaelmas, Lent and Easter terms. The seminars typically take place on Thursday’s between 16.00 and 17.00 and are held in the main lecture theater at SPRI , which can be accessed via the polar museum. Doors are open to public and all are welcome.
0 upcoming talks
View 129 archived talks
π€ Sanna Piilo - University of Helsinki
π
Thursday 19 March 2026, 16:00-17:00
π Scott Polar Research Institute, main lecture theatre
π€ Dr. Ella Gilbert
π
Thursday 12 March 2026, 15:00-16:00
π Scott Polar Research Institute
π€ Dr. Sammie Buzzard (Northumbria University)
π
Thursday 05 March 2026, 16:00-17:00
π Scott Polar Research Institute, main lecture theatre
π€ Dr. Jae-Hun Park (Inha University)
π
Thursday 19 February 2026, 16:00-17:00
π Scott Polar Research Institute, main lecture theatre
π€ Dr. Katie Miles (Lancaster University)
π
Thursday 12 February 2026, 16:00-17:00
π Scott Polar Research Institute, main lecture theatre
π€ Dr Francesco Muschitiello - Geography
π
Thursday 20 November 2025, 16:00-17:00
π Scott Polar Research Institute, main lecture theatre
π€ Prof Neil Arnold - SPRI
π
Thursday 06 November 2025, 16:00-17:00
π Scott Polar Research Institute, main lecture theatre
π€ Emma Pearce
π
Thursday 22 May 2025, 16:00-17:00
π Scott Polar Research Institute, main lecture theatre
π€ Konstantis Alexopolulos
π
Thursday 15 May 2025, 16:00-17:00
π Scott Polar Research Institute, main lecture theatre
π€ Jeff Kerby
π
Thursday 08 May 2025, 16:00-17:00
π Scott Polar Research Institute, main lecture theatre
π€ Dr. Samuel Cook, Friedrich-Alexander-University
π
Thursday 20 March 2025, 16:00-17:00
π Scott Polar Research Institute, main lecture theatre
π€ Dr. Jonathan Kingslake, Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory (LDEO), Columbia Climate School
π
Thursday 06 March 2025, 17:00-18:00
π Scott Polar Research Institute, main lecture theatre
π€ Dr. Michelle Maclennan, British Antarctic Survey
π
Thursday 27 February 2025, 16:00-17:00
π Scott Polar Research Institute, main lecture theatre
π€ Prof. Nanna Karlsson, Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland
π
Thursday 13 February 2025, 16:00-17:00
π Scott Polar Research Institute, main lecture theatre
π€ Dr Mathilde Le Moullec, Greenland Institute of Natural Resources
π
Thursday 05 December 2024, 16:00-17:00
π Scott Polar Research Institute, main lecture theatre
π€ Professor Ian Hewitt, University of Oxford
π
Thursday 28 November 2024, 16:00-17:00
π Scott Polar Research Institute, main lecture theatre
π€ Dr Jeff Kerby, Scott Polar Research Institute
π
Thursday 21 November 2024, 16:00-17:00
π Scott Polar Research Institute, main lecture theatre
π€ Dr Laura Stevens, University of Oxford
π
Thursday 14 November 2024, 16:00-17:00
π Scott Polar Research Institute, main lecture theatre
π€ Dr Devon Dunmire, KU Leven, Belgium
π
Thursday 24 October 2024, 16:00-17:00
π Scott Polar Research Institute, main lecture theatre
π€ Dr. Devon Dunmire - KU Leuven, Belgium
π
Thursday 24 October 2024, 16:00-17:00
π Scott Polar Research Institute, main lecture theatre
π€ Mark Hehlen, SPRI
π
Thursday 14 March 2024, 16:00-17:00
π Scott Polar Research Institute, main lecture theatre
π€ Professor Bruce C. Forbes, Research Professor at the Arctic Centre, University of Lapland
π
Wednesday 06 March 2024, 16:00-17:00
π Scott Polar Research Institute, main lecture theatre
π€ Frances Butcher, University of Sheffield
π
Thursday 29 February 2024, 16:00-17:00
π Scott Polar Research Institute, main lecture theatre
π€ Dr Evan Miles, Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research WSL
π
Friday 14 October 2022, 16:15-17:00
π Lecture Theatre, Scott Polar Research Institute
β οΈ CANCELLED DUE TO COVID-19
π€ Dr. James Lea, University of Liverpool
π
Thursday 21 May 2020, 16:00-17:00
π Scott Polar Research Institute, main lecture theatre
β οΈ THIS TALK IS CANCELLED
π€ Dr. Hester Jiskoot, Associate Professor of Physical Geography & Glaciology, University of Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada
π
Wednesday 13 May 2020, 16:00-17:00
π Scott Polar Research Institute, main lecture theatre
β οΈ THIS TALK IS CANCELLED DUE TO INDUSTRIAL ACTION
π€ Poul Christoffersen (University of Cambridge)
π
Thursday 05 March 2020, 16:00-17:00
π Scott Polar Research Institute, main lecture theatre
β οΈ This talk is by the Climate and Environmental Dynamics - Department of Geography Seminar Series - NOTE THE DIFFERENT TIME, DATE & VENUE
π€ Christine Batchelor, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim, Norway
π
Thursday 27 February 2020, 13:00-14:00
π Rm 101, William Hardy Building, Department of Geography, Downing Site
π€ Dr. Tobias Bolch, University of St. Andrews
π
Thursday 06 February 2020, 16:00-17:00
π Scott Polar Research Institute, main lecture theatre
π€ Dr. Margaret Stewart, Senior Scientist - Marine and Petroleum Geology, British Geological Survey.
π
Thursday 05 December 2019, 16:00-17:00
π Scott Polar Research Institute, main lecture theatre
π€ Poul Christoffersen (University of Cambridge)
π
Thursday 21 November 2019, 16:00-17:00
π Scott Polar Research Institute, main lecture theatre
β οΈ Note unusual time and venue
π€ Julian Dowdeswell, Scott Polar Research Institute
π
Wednesday 06 November 2019, 13:00-14:00
π Small Lecture Theatre, Department of Geography, Downing Site
π€ Dr Penny How, University of York
π
Wednesday 13 March 2019, 16:00-17:00
π Lecture Theatre, Scott Polar Research Institute
π€ Poul Christoffersen (University of Cambridge)
π
Wednesday 23 January 2019, 16:00-17:00
π Scott Polar Research Institute, main lecture theatre
β οΈ THIS TALK HAS BEEN CANCELLED DUE TO STRIKE ACTION
π€ Walter Immerzeel, University of Utrecht
π
Thursday 08 March 2018, 16:15-17:30
π Small Lecture Theatre, Department of Geography, Downing Site
β οΈ THIS TALK HAS BEEN CANCELLED DUE TO STRIKE ACTION
π€ Emrys Phillips, British Geological Survey, Edinburgh
π
Wednesday 28 February 2018, 16:30-17:30
π Ramsden Room, St Catharine's College
π€ Conrad Koziol, University of Edinburgh
π
Wednesday 14 February 2018, 16:30-17:30
π Scott Polar Research Institute, main lecture theatre
π€ Amber Leeson, University of Lancaster
π
Wednesday 31 January 2018, 16:30-17:30
π Scott Polar Research Institute, main lecture theatre
π€ Dr Adam Booth
π
Wednesday 29 November 2017, 16:30-17:30
π Scott Polar Research Institute, main lecture theatre
π€ Dr Suzanne Bevan
π
Wednesday 15 November 2017, 16:30-17:30
π Scott Polar Research Institute, main lecture theatre
π€ Mr Michael Cooper
π
Wednesday 18 October 2017, 16:30-17:30
π Scott Polar Research Institute, main lecture theatre
π€ Dr. Jerome A. Neufeld, Department of Earth Sciences & DAMTP, University of Cambridge
π
Wednesday 15 March 2017, 16:30-17:30
π Scott Polar Research Institute, main lecture theatre
π€ Dr. David Amblas, Scott Polar Research Institute, University of Cambridge
π
Wednesday 01 March 2017, 16:30-17:30
π Scott Polar Research Institute, main lecture theatre
π€ Daniel Goldberg (University of Edinburgh)
π
Wednesday 23 November 2016, 16:30-17:30
π Scott Polar Research Institute, main lecture theatre
β οΈ NOTE!!! UNUSUAL DAY (TUE) AND TIME (1-2 pm)
π€ Twila Moon (University of Bristol)
π
Tuesday 08 November 2016, 13:00-14:00
π Scott Polar Research Institute, Seminar Room
π€ Antonio Abellan
π
Wednesday 26 October 2016, 16:30-17:30
π Scott Polar Research Institute, Seminar Room
π€ Nial Peters
π
Wednesday 12 October 2016, 16:30-17:30
π Scott Polar Research Institute, Seminar Room
β οΈ NOTE UNUSUAL DAY AND ROOM
π€ Brice NoΓ«l (Utrecht University)
π
Tuesday 15 March 2016, 16:30-17:30
π Scott Polar Research Institute, Seminar Room
π€ Donald Slater (University of Edinburgh)
π
Wednesday 02 March 2016, 16:30-17:30
π Scott Polar Research Institute, main lecture theatre
π€ Mai Winstrup (University of Wahington)
π
Wednesday 27 May 2015, 16:30-17:30
π Scott Polar Research Institute, main lecture theatre
π€ Brice Rea (University of Aberdeen)
π
Wednesday 13 May 2015, 16:30-17:30
π Scott Polar Research Institute, main lecture theatre
β οΈ NOTE: THIS TALK IS ON A THURSDAY
π€ Olivier Gagliardini (Laboratoire de glaciologie et gΓ©ophysique de lβenvironnement)
π
Thursday 19 March 2015, 16:30-17:30
π Scott Polar Research Institute, main lecture theatre
π€ Coen Hodstede (Alfred Wegener Institute)
π
Wednesday 25 February 2015, 16:30-17:30
π Scott Polar Research Institute, main lecture theatre
π€ Christoph Mayer (Bavarian Academy of Sciences and Humanities)
π
Wednesday 11 February 2015, 16:30-17:30
π Scott Polar Research Institute, main lecture theatre
π€ Tom Cowton (University of Sheffield)
π
Wednesday 28 January 2015, 16:30-17:30
π Scott Polar Research Institute, main lecture theatre
π€ Martin Siegert (Imperial College)
π
Wednesday 26 November 2014, 16:30-17:30
π Scott Polar Research Institute, main lecture theatre
β οΈ NOTE UNUSUAL TIME: 1-2 PM
π€ Peter Talling (National Oceanography Centre, Southampton)
π
Wednesday 12 November 2014, 13:00-14:00
π Scott Polar Research Institute, main lecture theatre
π€ Sam Doyle (University of Aberystwyth)
π
Wednesday 29 October 2014, 16:30-17:30
π Scott Polar Research Institute, main lecture theatre
π€ Alv Egeland (Department of Physics, University of Oslo)
π
Wednesday 15 October 2014, 16:30-17:30
π Scott Polar Research Institute, main lecture theatre
π€ Susan Conway
π
Thursday 08 May 2014, 16:30-17:30
π Scott Polar Research Institute, main lecture theatre
π€ Dr Mauro Werder, University of Bristol
π
Wednesday 23 April 2014, 16:30-17:30
π Scott Polar Research Institute, main lecture theatre
π€ Hamish Pritchard (British Antarctic Survey)
π
Wednesday 12 March 2014, 16:30-17:30
π Scott Polar Research Institute, main lecture theatre
π€ Poul Christoffersen (Scott Polar Research Insitute)
π
Wednesday 26 February 2014, 16:30-17:30
π Scott Polar Research Institute, main lecture theatre
π€ Neil Glasser (Aberystwyth University)
π
Wednesday 12 February 2014, 16:30-17:30
π Scott Polar Research Institute, main lecture theatre
π€ Jason Box (Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland)
π
Wednesday 29 January 2014, 16:30-17:30
π Scott Polar Research Institute, main lecture theatre
π€ Duncan Quincey (University of Leeds)
π
Wednesday 27 November 2013, 16:30-17:30
π Scott Polar Research Institute, main lecture theatre
β οΈ Note unusual time (THURSDAY)
π€ David G. Vaughan (British Antarctic Survey)
π
Thursday 14 November 2013, 16:30-17:30
π Scott Polar Research Institute, main lecture theatre
π€ Malcolm McMillan (University of Leeds)
π
Wednesday 30 October 2013, 16:30-17:30
π Scott Polar Research Institute, main lecture theatre
π€ Stephen J. Livingstone (University of Sheffield)
π
Wednesday 16 October 2013, 16:30-17:30
π Scott Polar Research Institute, main lecture theatre
π€ Dr Lorna Linch, University of Brighton
π
Wednesday 12 June 2013, 16:30-17:30
π Scott Polar Research Institute, main lecture theatre
π€ Dr Suzanne Bevan, Swansea University
π
Wednesday 05 June 2013, 16:30-17:30
π Scott Polar Research Institute, main lecture theatre
π€ Dr Jonathan Carrivick, Leeds University
π
Wednesday 22 May 2013, 16:30-17:30
π Scott Polar Research Institute, main lecture theatre
π€ Dr Camilla Andresen, Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland
π
Wednesday 08 May 2013, 16:30-17:30
π Scott Polar Research Institute, main lecture theatre
π€ Dr Neil Ross, Newcastle University
π
Wednesday 24 April 2013, 16:30-17:30
π Scott Polar Research Institute, main lecture theatre
π€ Dr Eero Rinne, Finnish Meteorological Institute
π
Wednesday 13 March 2013, 16:30-17:30
π Scott Polar Research Institute, main lecture theatre
π€ Dr Kathryn Rose, British Antarctic Survey
π
Wednesday 27 February 2013, 16:30-17:30
π Scott Polar Research Institute, main lecture theatre
π€ Professor David Evans, Durham University
π
Wednesday 30 January 2013, 16:30-17:30
π Scott Polar Research Institute, main lecture theatre
β οΈ N.B. re-scheduled from earlier date
π€ Dr Stewart Jamieson, Durham University
π
Wednesday 16 January 2013, 16:30-17:30
π Scott Polar Research Institute, main lecture theatre
β οΈ N.B. Change of date
π€ Dr Alun Hubbard, Aberystwyth University
π
Wednesday 28 November 2012, 16:30-17:30
π Scott Polar Research Institute, main lecture theatre
β οΈ Note: not usual day
π€ Dr Maryline Vautravers, Earth Sciences, University of Cambridge
π
Monday 29 October 2012, 16:30-17:30
π Scott Polar Research Institute, main lecture theatre
π€ Christine Batchelor, SPRI
π
Wednesday 17 October 2012, 16:30-17:30
π Scott Polar Research Institute, main lecture theatre
β οΈ Note unusual day
π€ Professor Pat Quilty, University of Tasmania
π
Tuesday 12 June 2012, 16:30-17:30
π Scott Polar Research Institute, main lecture theatre
π€ Amber Leeson & Dr Kate Briggs, School of Earth & Environment, University of Leeds
π
Wednesday 06 June 2012, 16:30-17:30
π Scott Polar Research Institute, main lecture theatre
π€ Dr Jemma Wadham, University of Bristol
π
Wednesday 30 May 2012, 16:30-17:30
π Scott Polar Research Institute, main lecture theatre
π€ Anna-Maria Trofaier & Dr Steven Palmer, Scott Polar Research Institute.
π
Wednesday 23 May 2012, 16:30-17:30
π Scott Polar Research Institute, main lecture theatre
π€ Dr Andy Smith, British Antarctic Survey
π
Wednesday 16 May 2012, 16:30-17:30
π Scott Polar Research Institute, main lecture theatre
π€ Professor Bryn Hubbard, Aberystwyth University
π
Wednesday 09 May 2012, 16:30-17:30
π Scott Polar Research Institute, main lecture theatre
π€ Prof John Smellie, University of Leicester
π
Wednesday 02 May 2012, 16:30-17:30
π Scott Polar Research Institute, main lecture theatre
π€ Dr Marco Tedesco, Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, City College of New York
π
Wednesday 28 March 2012, 13:00-13:45
π Scott Polar Research Institute, main lecture theatre
π€ Dr Valentina Radic, Earth and Ocean Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
π
Wednesday 21 March 2012, 13:45-14:30
π Scott Polar Research Institute, main lecture theatre
π€ Professor Veli-Pekka Salonen, Dept. of Geosciences and Geography, University of Helsinki (and Visiting fellow at Clare Hall)
π
Wednesday 21 March 2012, 13:00-13:45
π Scott Polar Research Institute, main lecture theatre
π€ Dr Gwendolyn Leysinger-Vieli, University of Durham
π
Wednesday 14 March 2012, 16:30-17:30
π Scott Polar Research Institute, main lecture theatre
π€ Dr Fausto Ferraccioli, British Antarctic Survey
π
Wednesday 07 March 2012, 16:30-17:30
π Scott Polar Research Institute, main lecture theatre
π€ Dr Rob Bingham, University of Aberdeen
π
Wednesday 29 February 2012, 16:30-17:30
π Scott Polar Research Institute, main lecture theatre
π€ Prof Elizabeth Morris, Scott Polar Research Insitute
π
Wednesday 22 February 2012, 16:30-17:30
π Scott Polar Research Institute, main lecture theatre
π€ Dr Kelly Hogan, Scott Polar Research Institute
π
Wednesday 08 February 2012, 16:30-17:30
π Scott Polar Research Institute, main lecture theatre
π€ Dr Bill Austin, University of St Andrews
π
Wednesday 01 February 2012, 16:30-17:30
π Scott Polar Research Institute, main lecture theatre
π€ Dr Poul Christoffersen, Scott Polar Research Institute
π
Wednesday 25 January 2012, 16:30-17:30
π Scott Polar Research Institute, main lecture theatre
π€ Dr Neil Harris, University of Cambridge
π
Wednesday 30 November 2011, 16:30-17:30
π Scott Polar Research Institute, main lecture theatre
π€ Dr Mark Skidmore, Department of Earth Sciences, Montana State University
π
Wednesday 23 November 2011, 16:30-17:30
π Scott Polar Research Institute, main lecture theatre
π€ Dr Marion Bougamont, Scott Polar Research Institute
π
Wednesday 16 November 2011, 16:30-17:30
π Scott Polar Research Institute, main lecture theatre
π€ Dr Ian Willis, Scott Polar Research Institute
π
Monday 14 November 2011, 13:00-14:00
π MR4, Centre for Mathematical Sciences
π€ Dr Ed King, British Antarctic Survey
π
Wednesday 02 November 2011, 16:30-17:30
π Scott Polar Research Institute, main lecture theatre
π€ Martin O'Leary, Department of Atmospheric, Oceanic and Space Sciences, University of Michigan
π
Wednesday 19 October 2011, 16:30-17:30
π Scott Polar Research Institute, main lecture theatre
π€ Anne Le Brocq (University of Exeter)
π
Wednesday 16 March 2011, 16:30-17:30
π Scott Polar Research Institute, main lecture theatre
β οΈ THIS SEMINAR HAS BEEN CANCELLED
π€ Finlo Cottier (Scottish Association for Marine Science)
π
Wednesday 23 February 2011, 16:30-17:30
π Scott Polar Research Institute, main lecture theatre
π€ Cameron Rye (University of Oxford)
π
Wednesday 16 February 2011, 16:30-17:30
π Scott Polar Research Institute, main lecture theatre
π€ Adrian Jenkins (British Antarctic Survey)
π
Wednesday 26 January 2011, 16:30-17:30
π Scott Polar Research Institute, main lecture theatre
β οΈ Note unusual time (7 PM)
π€ Paul A. Berkman (University of Cambridge) & David W. H. Walton (British Antarctic Survey)
π
Wednesday 01 December 2010, 19:00-20:00
π Scott Polar Research Institute, main lecture theatre
π€ Douglas Benn (University Centre in Svalbard and the University of St. Andrews)
π
Wednesday 17 November 2010, 16:30-17:30
π Scott Polar Research Institute, main lecture theatre
β οΈ Note unusual time (MONDAY)
π€ Hilmar Gudmundsson (British Antarctic Survey)
π
Monday 01 November 2010, 16:30-17:30
π Scott Polar Research Institute, main lecture theatre
π€ Daniel NΓ½vlt (Czech Geological Survey)
π
Wednesday 20 October 2010, 16:30-17:30
π Scott Polar Research Institute, main lecture theatre
β οΈ Note unusual time: this seminar is on a Thursday
π€ Lisle A. Rose
π
Thursday 07 October 2010, 16:30-17:30
π Scott Polar Research Institute, main lecture theatre
π€ Bernd Kulessa (Swansea University)
π
Wednesday 03 March 2010, 16:30-17:30
π Scott Polar Research Institute, LIBRARY (1ST FLOOR), doors open for general access
π€ Anthony Seale (University of Cambridge)
π
Wednesday 17 February 2010, 16:30-17:30
π Scott Polar Research Institute, LIBRARY (1ST FLOOR), doors open for general access
π€ Paul Berkman (University of Cambridge)
π
Wednesday 03 February 2010, 16:30-17:30
π Scott Polar Research Institute, LIBRARY (1ST FLOOR), doors open for general access
π€ Andrew Sole (University of Aberdeen)
π
Wednesday 20 January 2010, 16:30-17:30
π Scott Polar Research Institute, LIBRARY (1ST FLOOR), doors open for general access
β οΈ Image caption: view across the northern namakier at Kuh-e-namak (Dashti), Iran Zagros. Salt is > 500 my old.
π€ Christopher Talbot (Earth Sciences, University of Uppsala)
π
Wednesday 02 December 2009, 16:30-17:30
π Scott Polar Research Institute, LIBRARY (1ST FLOOR)
π€ Alan Ashworth (Department of Geosciences, North Dakota State University)
π
Wednesday 18 November 2009, 16:30-17:30
π Scott Polar Research Institute, LIBRARY (1ST FLOOR)
π€ Alex Piotrowski (Earth Sciences, University of Cambridge)
π
Wednesday 11 November 2009, 16:30-17:30
π Scott Polar Research Institute, LIBRARY (1ST FLOOR)
β οΈ Note: unusual venue
π€ Paul Holland (British Antarctic Survey)
π
Wednesday 28 October 2009, 16:30-17:30
π Scott Polar Research Institute, LIBRARY (1ST FLOOR)
π€ Chris Woodworth-Lynas (NW Atlantic Ocean Observing System Partnership)
π
Wednesday 20 May 2009, 16:30-17:30
π Scott Polar Research Institute, LIBRARY (1ST FLOOR)
π€ Speaker to be confirmed
π
Wednesday 22 April 2009, 16:30-17:30
π Scott Polar Research Institute, LIBRARY (1ST FLOOR)
π€ John Woodward, Northumbria University
π
Wednesday 04 March 2009, 16:30-17:30
π Scott Polar Research Institute, LIBRARY (1ST FLOOR)
π€ Clive Oppenheimer, Department of Geography, University of Cambridge
π
Wednesday 18 February 2009, 16:30-17:30
π Scott Polar Research Institute, main lecture theatre
π€ Robert Bingham (British Antarctic Survey)
π
Wednesday 26 November 2008, 16:30-17:30
π Scott Polar Research Institute, main lecture theatre
π€ Adrian Luckman (Swansea University)
π
Wednesday 12 November 2008, 16:30-17:30
π Scott Polar Research Institute, main lecture theatre
π€ Anne Le Brocq (University of Durham)
π
Wednesday 29 October 2008, 16:30-17:30
π Scott Polar Research Institute, main lecture theatre
π€ Murray Mitchell (OPUS Engineering - New Zealand)
π
Wednesday 15 October 2008, 16:30-17:30
π Scott Polar Research Institute, main lecture theatre
Please see above for contact details for this list.